SSE Renewables and Equinor have reached a preliminary agreement with the UK’s Crown Estate on the commercial terms for the seabed lease of the proposed Dogger Bank D phase.
This phase is part of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, currently the largest such wind farm under construction anywhere in the world.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The agreement pertains to a 50% stake held by each company in the Dogger Bank D development and is contingent upon the results of a plan-level Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).
This assessment is a component of the Crown Estate’s broader capacity improvement programme, which aims to unlock an additional 4GW of green electricity.
The two companies submitted their scoping report to the UK’s Planning Inspectorate in July 2024.
Dogger Bank D, announced in 2023, could add 2GW of capacity by utilising the eastern section of the existing Dogger Bank C seabed lease area.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThis expansion would further expand Dogger Bank, located offshore Yorkshire, England.
The Crown Estate’s capacity improvement programme, unveiled in November 2023, includes seven offshore sites earmarked for capacity increases. These sites already have seabed leasing agreements in place.
The Crown Estate must conduct a plan-level HRA to evaluate the environmental implications of the programme on protected habitats before making a final decision.
The HRA will assess the environmental impact of the proposed additional capacity across all seven projects.
The commercial terms agreed upon by SSE and Equinor with the Crown Estate are crucial for advancing the Dogger Bank D project, subject to a positive HRA outcome.
If the project moves forward, additional measures may be required to mitigate or compensate for environmental impacts identified by the HRA.
If approved, Dogger Bank D would connect to the UK’s national electricity network at the planned 400kV substation at Birkhill Wood in East Riding of Yorkshire.
The project’s advancement is dependent on obtaining a new development consent order. Initial stakeholder consultations have begun, with more planned for later in 2024.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%), was awarded rights during the Crown Estate’s offshore wind leasing round 3 and is being constructed in three phases: A, B and C.
SSE Renewables project director Rob Cussons stated: “I am delighted the shareholders in Dogger Bank D have been able to establish commercial terms to amend the Dogger Bank C lease with the Crown Estate, subject to the outcome of the Plan Level HRA and the Crown Estate’s final decision on the capacity improvement programme.
“It is a move that can unlock the value of more clean energy from the same area of seabed, as we accelerate towards a greener and more secure energy system.”
